Four Artists Depart Ed Sheeran's Tour in Support of Macklemore, Removed Over Palestine Comments

Four artists accompanying British singer Ed Sheeran as opening acts withdrew from his tour after American rapper Macklemore was removed for making pro-Palestinian comments during a performance in the United States.

Sheeran denied responsibility for the decision to drop Macklemore, stating that the tour's promoter was responsible for the measure.

Finneas—an artist also famous for his work with his sister, superstar Billie Eilish—along with Irish acts Aaron Rowe and Beoga, and Danish artist Lukas Graham, announced on social media that they are stepping down from the tour.

Macklemore, who opened Sheeran's "Loop Tour" concerts, shouted "Free Palestine!" and told Palestinians that "they are not forgotten" during two concerts earlier this month at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, near New York.

"The decision to remove Macklemore from the tour was made by the promoter, not me," Sheeran wrote in a lengthy Instagram post.

He added that the rapper's contract was terminated by the promoter, Messina Touring Group.

According to Sheeran, the tour venues "communicated that they would cancel the shows if he remained as an opening act."

On Monday, Macklemore posted that Sheeran and his team were not responsible for his departure from the tour.

Sheeran said he held extensive discussions with venue operators, including Robert Kraft, owner of Boston's Gillette Stadium, but added that he was unable to resolve the situation.

Finneas has publicly defended Palestinians in the past. On Tuesday, he posted that "artists must not be silenced when they speak up for the oppressed." "I stand with Palestine and its people," he added.

The band Beoga, accompanying Sheeran on tour, announced its withdrawal "following the silencing of Macklemore by Zionist lobbies."

"As founding members of the Irish Artists for Palestine movement, we are committed activists for justice and will continue to be," the group stated.

Similarly, Irish artist Rowe referenced his country's history to explain his decision to leave the tour.

"I cannot stand by and allow billionaires to use their position of power to silence legitimate voices speaking out against Israeli genocide," Rowe stated.

In a statement, Kraft said Gillette Stadium "would not provide a platform for hate speech."